Following God's direction can be difficult. Even when we are sure of our course of action, the timing and the "how" may still be a mystery.

David was anointed king over Israel by Samuel as a young boy while Saul was still king. He was estimated to be around 15 years old at the time. While there was likely excitement this also would have caused anxiety and potentially fear in David to be anointed while another king was ruling. Even through David's mistakes, he trusted God throughout it all. In the next few years after being anointed, David killed Goliath - surely this would be his moment of kingship! But he was not named king until Saul's death 15 years later. Between that time, David took refuge in Philistia while on the run from Saul and had many other battles and experiences. Two different occasions, it appeared as though Saul's life was given to David, but David spared Saul both times out of respect for God's anointed. He continually chose to trust God's timing. Even when he did become king, it was only over Judah and was another 7 years before truly being king over all Israel. Quite the unexpected journey!

At the end of it all, David ruled for 40 years and was considered a man after God's own heart. A beautiful trait to be remembered by.

Photo by Wim van 't Einde on Unsplash